Posted by Langley Austin/RACE22.com on October 22, 2007, 11:03 pm
Board Administrator

South Boston Could Be Bigger This Year in 13th Annual "SoBo 300" South Boston, VA ~ Normally when the "SoBo 300" rolls around it comes a couple weeks later in the year, but this year the timing of the South Boston Speedway staff couldn't be better ... there is no other races this Saturday for the NASCAR Late Model Stock Car division. That could make for a larger car count and unlike two weeks ago when Hickory, Friendship and Caraway Speedway each held their big race for the Late Model Stock Cars on the same day, the fans won't have to make a choice on where they should go. The "SoBo 300" is already considered one of the three crown jewel Late Model Stock Car races along with the Bailey's 300 at Martinsville Speedway and the Myrtle Beach 400 at Myrtle Beach Speedway and with this wide open weekend, the action could be bigger and better for the 3/8 mile bullring. With a purse boasting a $52,300 payout with $10,000 going to the winner of the longest race of the season at South Boston Speedway the fans will be in for a great show in the "SoBo 300". 2007 South Boston Speedway champion, Adam Barker will be looking to continue his incredible season, but with Wayne Ramsey's recent string of strong runs including four straight wins to end the 2007 regular season, he'll be tough this weekend. Among the local drivers seeking a good run this weekend will be Rodney Cook, who had a top five car all season at South Boston this year. Cook will be racing in honor of his car owner, Wayne Carter, who passed away several weeks ago and Cook's looking to bring home the hardware in memory of his late friend. Cook is currently on a hot streak after missing the race at Martinsville in the Bailey's 300 when Curtis Truex, Jr. bumped him out of the way on the final lap of a heat race ... since then he has finished second in the Fall Final 150 at Friendship Motor Speedway and fourth in the "Big One" at Old Dominion Speedway last Saturday. Outsiders coming in this weekend will include 2006 & 2007 Hickory Motor Speedway champion and winner of the Fall Brawl 250 at Hickory Motor Speedway, Andy Loden. Loden will be a strong contender this year after learning the track in last years "SoBo 300" where he qualified in the top ten, but unfortunately was taken out in the early laps of the race. Loden will be joined by 2006 & 2007 Motor Mile Speedway champion, Philip Morris as well as former winner of this event, Frank Deiny, Jr. and former South Boston Speedway track champion, Brandon Butler. Along with those fast guys, Greg Edwards will be behind the wheel of a Ford, the same Ford he drove to a victory at South Boston this season. Two-time Limited Sportsman champion at South Boston Speedway, Bruce Anderson along with two of his biggest competitors in the Limited division, Danny Willis, Jr. and Lee Pulliam have filed entries for Saturday's race. Other drivers expected include Eddie Johnson, Tommy Lemons, Jr., Ashley Huffman, Jon Denning, CE Faulk, Ronald Hill and outside pole sitter for the Bailey's 300 at Martinsville, Owne Miller. Plus, 2007 Old Dominion Speedway track champion, Michael Hardin as well as South Carolina drivers; Jamey Lee and 'Big Ed' Williams, who compete regularly at Myrtle Beach Speedway and Miami Springs, FL driver, Joey Coulter. There will be plenty of action for fans to enjoy throughout the weekend as activities get underway on Friday, October 26, with practice from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. The $500 GE Tile & Design Pole Award will be on the line when qualifying time trials begin at 4 p.m. The fastest 15 cars in Fridays qualifying time trials will be locked into the field for Saturdays SoBo 300. Admission for Fridays practice and qualifying will be $5 for adults. Kids ages nine and under will be admitted free. On Saturday, October 27 at 12 noon, 30-lap qualifying races will be run to determine starting positions 16-30. A 25-lap Last Chance race at 1 p.m. will determine the final four starting spots. Two provisional starting spots will be available to complete the 36-car starting field for the 300-lap feature race. The SoBo 300 feature race will be run in two segments with the first segment being 150 laps (60 miles) and the second consisting of the remaining laps. There will be a 15-minute break between the segments during which teams can change two tires and make adjustments to the cars. For more information about the SoBo 300 or South Boston Speedways 50th anniversary season, visit the speedways website at www.southbostonspeedway.com or telephone the speedway at 434-572-4947 or 1-877-440-1540.